It’s true, perceptions about senior living haven’t always been great. But those old stigmas couldn’t be further from the truth today. We’ll set the record straight on some of the most common myths and show you how boutique senior living goes even further to blend those benefits with the comfort of home.
Myth: You’ll have to give up your independence if you move to assisted living.
Fact: No way! In fact, today’s senior living communities are specifically designed to provide just enough support to help you live life to its fullest. It’s actually an environment that fosters independence, perhaps even more so than at home with accessibility and safety features as standard.
Myth: Assisted living communities are dreary and depressing.
Fact: Large senior living communities can feel a bit institutional as they are often on sprawling campuses with multiple buildings and potentially 100s of residents, however they also have comfortable accommodations and offer amenities such as pools, fitness centers and restaurant-style dining as well as housekeeping and laundry services.
Myth: You’ll be lonely with nothing to do.
Fact: The amount of social, fitness and enrichment opportunities in senior living today will likely by a pleasant surprise. Not only do most communities have a dedicated program director and monthly calendars filled with clubs, classes, events and outings, they also feature numerous indoor and outdoor common areas to gather with friends and family.
Myth: You only move to assisted living when you’re sick.
Fact: Seniors are now moving to these communities earlier than ever; even while perfectly healthy! Senior living can actually offer a more active, convenient and carefree lifestyle than you’ll find at home. In addition, choosing a campus with a continuum of care provides peace of mind that you won’t have to move again as health needs evolve.
Myth: Not many people can afford senior living.
Fact: It’s more affordable that you think. In fact, when you compare the total cost of living at home — mortgage or rent as well as the cost of food, utilities, home maintenance, property taxes, insurance and entertainment (all included in senior living) in addition to the high cost of at-home care and/or accessibility modifications — you’ll find senior living may actually be less expensive!
Added Benefits of Boutique Senior Living
Boutique senior living is residential care provided in a single-family home. We believe it blends the best of both worlds because our homes feature the amenities of large communities, but also have the comforting feel of home through the personalized care and lifestyle we provide.
You see none of our homes have more than 16 residents and we offer a nearly unheard of 1 to 5 caregiver to resident ratio. This gives your loved one the added benefit of more personal attention as well as a more familiar, family feel than large senior living communities.
What’s more, we don’t have to try to create a homelike feel; it’s already there because everything from the décor to intimate settings like family-style meals on a handmade farm table to a charming, neighborhood location in a Midwestern town, is likely already much like your loved one is used to. But there’s no lack of space as our homes are at least 4,000 square feet and even offer private accommodations.
We offer activity programs similar to large senior living communities like daily exercises, socialization, cognitive stimulation and immersive activities as well as group outings and live entertainment. You won’t miss out on the amenities either with beautifully landscaped grounds and home gardens, three home-cooked meals and snacks daily, flat-screen televisions with basic cable, laundry and cleaning services, complimentary Wi-Fi and transportation for appointments, shopping and scheduled outings.
But the added benefit here is that your loved one won’t have to worry about navigating between buildings or feeling overwhelmed by the large crowds. It’s the smaller setting along with familiar caregivers that helps residents thrive with many of them taking advantage of even more opportunities than they would have otherwise!
For more information on boutique senior living at Shepherd Premier, schedule a virtual tour today or call (224) 333-6247 to speak to a team member.
